Wishing for a little more courage

Normally I like to workout at the gym early in the morning, before the birds are even up. Today I decided to go in the afternoon and I am reminded why I give up a little sleep for a peaceful workout. As I am stretching there are three young, probably freshman, girls sitting next to me. They begin talking about how one of them is so tan and the other two need to hit the tanning bed over winter break. Here I am cringing inside, wanting to scream at them, and thinking I need to say something. I really should say something, but what am I going to say? All the while there is this fear inside me. Needless to say, I was a coward and I didn't do it. I know I should have. I wish I would have. This was a perfect opportunity to share awareness. How is it that I can speak to hundreds of people about my story, but I can't walk up to three girls, share my story and my scar?

Prayers and Love are NEEDED!

Melanoma is a beast, one that nobody asks to enter their life, but it enters any way. I like to read blogs about others who are going through this journey called melanoma.Why? I am interested in their stories and hoping to make friendships with these people because they know what I am going through. I recently joined a facebook group made up of many wonderful, caring, supportive individuals and their families. Each one having their own story, but all aiming for one goal, to some day kick melanoma's a**. Why do I tell you all of this? I tell you because there are two messages that need to be heard. The first one is that melanoma has very unwelcomingly entered the lives of the Hayes family. Susan writes a blog about her 23 year old daughter's journey with melanoma. Susan's blog is one I have been reading and a friend I have made through facebook. This family needs all the prayers, love, positive vibes, and anything you can give them right now because melanoma is winning. It pains me to write this, but I know this message needs to be heard. Which leads to the second point. Jillian's story NEEDS to be heard. The young women and men of our society need to understand that skin cancer isn't always able to to be cut away. You may not think it is going to happen to you, but it can and does. I can't speak for Jillian, but my guess is she never thought this was going to happen to her. Please think of this young girl before you enter that cancer coffin or lay in the sun with baby oil smothering your body. No one wants to go on this journey, so reduce your chances of ever having to.

I encourage (really demand) that you read Susan's honest and emotional words that she has posted about Jillian's latest part of her journey. I hope it knocks the cold, hard reality of what melanoma can do to you. Loosing some one you love is one the absolute hardest things life can send your way. Yet, some how Susan is able to put this into words, to continue sharing Jillian's story because she knows how vital it is in the fight against melanoma. Be prepared with tissues because these words will bring you to tears. Check out the post here on Jillian's Journey with Melanoma- A Mother's Story.

Lately

Now that I have finally handed in my portfolio and only have one last paper to write before the end of the semester, I hope to have time to write on here more often. This week I have been feeling a little funky. The semester is winding down and reality is starting to hit that I will be pushed into the real world in six short months. Can anyone say AAAAHHH?! Next semester I will be student teaching and I will not be going to campus very often, which has left me feeling a little sad this week. Where have the last four years gone? I remember the excitement of heading off to college, getting there and being homesick, and scared out of my mind. These last four years have been a whirlwind and they say high school goes by quickly. As much as I didn't feel stress from this portfolio (it determines if I am accepted into student teaching), I have been stressed. On top of that yesterday marks the nine month anniversary of my uncle's passing. As hard as those first few months were, the last few weeks have been really hard again. Knowing he will not physically be present during the holidays this year is saddening. As much as I love this time of year and I do LOVE it (I was listening to Christmas music the day after Halloween and I like my house to look like Santa threw up), this year there is sadness in the air and I am feeling a little bah humbug. Along with that sadness one of my fellow melanoma warriors is in the fight for her life. Her mama bear writes the blog, Jillian's Journey with Melanoma. This beautiful young woman is battling stage 4 melanoma and has recently been told it will take a miracle for her to survive. I think about her and her family often, praying God is with them during this time. So I ask you my blog readers, send a little prayer for their family to make it through this difficult time. Also take a moment to sign Jillian's tan ban and help her reach her goal of 1,000! She is at 966 right now. Help her make that push to her goal!